Display Stand Device for Displaying Goods at Retail Locations

ABSTRACT

Display stand for displaying goods formed from cardboard. Formed into a substantially triangular shape having a shelf-top panel, a connecting panel, a product display panel, and a tab in the back. Extending upward from the shelf top panel, nearly perpendicular, is the connecting panel. Extending downward from the upward panel and over the shelf top panel is the product display panel. The shelf-top, connecting, and product display panel form a triangular shape. A tab extends upward from the shelf top panel and perpendicular. A first hole is in the shelf top panel, and a second hole in the product display panel. The two holes are aligned when the invention is folded. The product for display has a hole aligned with the invention&#39;s two holes. A tie attaches the product for display to the invention, which tie is fed through the two holes and through the hole on the product.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a display stand device for displaying goods at retail locations. More specifically, the present invention stand is formed from cardboard or other rigid formable material, and has aligned holes for attaching goods thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When products are sold at retail, they are often packaged for retail display. The packaging is typically accomplished with a corrugated cardboard box. The advantage of such packaging is that colorful or eye-catching printing can be applied to the cardboard, in addition to printing instructions, warnings, parts lists, and the like on the box. Moreover, parts, instructions and the like can also be included within the cardboard box.

The disadvantages of cardboard boxes are that they take up a lot of additional retail shelf space, typically do not permit the consuming purchaser to view the article being sold, and waste large amounts of cardboard which would normally be discarded.

It would be advantageous to provide a display stand for displaying goods at retail that reduces the amount of retail shelf space occupied, reduces the amount of wasted cardboard, while still allowing the vender to apply printing to the stand, permitting the consumer to view the article being sold at retail, and allowing the vender to include small parts.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a display stand device for displaying goods at retail locations. The display stand of the present invention is formed from cardboard or other rigid foldable or formable material. The device is formed into a substantially triangular shape having a shelf-top panel, and connecting panel, a product display panel, and a tab in the back. The shelf-top panel sits on the shelf at the retail location. Extending upward from the shelf top panel, and nearly perpendicular thereto, is the connecting panel. Thereafter, extending downward from the upward panel and over the shelf top panel is the product display panel. As such, the shelf-top, connecting, and product display panel form a triangular shape. A tab panel extends upward from the shelf top panel and substantially perpendicular to it. A first hole is located in the shelf top panel, and a second hole in the product display panel. The two holes are aligned so that they line up when with each other when the invention is folded into its usable configuration. The product for display at retail also is provided with a hole which lines up with the two holes of the invention. A tie is employed to attach the product for display to the present invention display stand, which tie is fed through the two holes and thereupon through a corresponding hole on the product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is front perspective view of the present invention display stand device showing the product for retail display in broken lines.

FIG. 2 is rear perspective view of the present invention display stand device showing the product for retail display in broken lines.

FIG. 3 is front perspective view of the present invention display stand device showing the product for retail display in broken lines.

FIG. 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of the present invention display stand device showing the product for retail display in broken lines.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention display stand device in its unfolded condition.

FIG. 6 is front perspective view of the present invention display stand device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a stand device for displaying goods at retail locations. More specifically, the present invention stand facilitates objects to stand and be displayed in an upright position, when the shape or configuration of the object at retail would not normally permit doing so. Furthermore, the present invention stand alleviates the requirement that the goods be fully packaged in boxes and yet still permits the shopper to view the goods in its entirety.

As shown in the accompanying figures, the present invention stand for retail display is depicted as it is used in connection with a wall file pocket (which wall file pocket is not claimed as an element of the present invention.) It will be noted that the wall file pocket as shown in broken lines in the figures tapers toward the bottom, and as such, would not readily stand upright for display in a retail situation. Of course, the present invention stand for retail display could be used with any other product for display at a retail location, whether an office supply product, or anything else which would not readily stand upright on its own.

Looking at FIGS. 1-4, the present invention device for displaying objects at retail locations is shown as attached to a wall file pocket and the invention depicted generally as reference number 10. The wall file pocket WF is shown in broken lines as it does not form part of the claimed device. Looking at FIGS. 5 and 6, the present invention is shown in unfolded (FIG. 5) and folded configuration (FIG. 6.)

As seen well in FIG. 5, which shows the stand in its unfolded condition, the stand 10 is formed from a single sheet of corrugated cardboard, although other flat rigid materials such as plastic can be employed so long as it can be folded or shaped into the proper configuration. Furthermore, as shown, the corrugated cardboard has rectangular dimensions of approximately 7″ by 6″ (without the tab) in its unfolded condition. It will be understood that the dimensions of the invention are not critical and can be modified depending on the size and shape of the object to be displayed at retail.

Still looking at FIG. 5, the stand 10 of the present invention has three creases 12, 14 and 16 in the cardboard. The creases in the cardboard form lines for folding the cardboard and thereby divide the cardboard into four regions. The first region will be called the product support panel 18 and has approximate dimensions of 7″ by 2½″. The second region will be called the connecting panel 20 and has approximate dimensions of 7″ by 1″. The third region will be called the shelf-top panel 22 and has approximate dimensions of 7″ by 2½″. Finally, the fourth region will be called the tab 24 and has approximate dimensions of 4″ by ¾″. Again, it is noted that the actual dimensions of the device are not critical, and may vary according to the size and shape of the object to be attached thereto at retail. However, the dimensions of the shelf-top panel and the product support panel should be identical or nearly so.

A first hole 26 is punched into the cardboard in the product support panel and a second hole 28 is punched or formed into the shelf top panel. The two holes will line up and be aligned with each other when the cardboard is folded into its display configuration.

Now, the cardboard is folded along its crease lines into its display configuration as best seen in FIG. 6. As can be seen, the cardboard sheet is stand is folded into a stand having a triangular cross section. When folded, the shelf-top panel 22 of the cardboard sits flat on the shelf of the display location. At crease 14, the cardboard is bent upward so that the connecting panel 20 of the cardboard extends upward vertically nearly perpendicular (approximately 80°) to and from the front edge of the shelf-top panel. Now, the cardboard is bent again at crease 12, so that the product support panel 18 of the cardboard is bent back and downward and back over the shelf top panel such that the edge of the third region of cardboard comes into contact with the back of the shelf top panel as shown in FIG. 6. As such, the shelf-top panel, the connecting panel and the product display panel of the cardboard are folded into a shape having triangular cross section. Thus, an interior space inside the walls of the triangle is created, which interior space may be utilized for including small parts to be included with the retail product.

Looking still at the figures, it is shown that the two holes 26 and 28 which are formed in the cardboard (in the shelf top panel and the product support panel) are positioned so that they line up with each other when the stand device is folded into its triangular shape for utilization.

Extending upward from the rear of the shelf-top panel, is a vertical tab 24, which is substantially perpendicular to the shelf top panel. The tab is utilized to and abuts up against the rear of the article which is being displayed at retail.

It will be understood that the present invention can be formed in ways other than by folding corrugated cardboard. For example, the stand of the present invention can be molded from plastic so long as the proper shape as shown in the accompanying Figures is achieved.

Now, looking back at FIGS. 1 through 4, the product for display at retail (here the wall file pocket) is attached to the present invention display stand by employment of a wire tie 30. Other embodiment tying means, e.g. wire, string or the like are within the scope of this disclosure so long as they have a diameter somewhat smaller than the diameter of the holes on the product display panel and shelf top panel. The product for display is positioned onto the present invention stand. The product sits on top of the product display panel with the tab in the back and extending upward behind the product for display. Now, the wire tie 30 is fed though the two holes, one in the shelf top panel, the other in the product display panel, and though a corresponding hole H (or more than one whole depending on the configuration) on the product on display. The hole on the product must also be positioned on the product so that it lines up and is aligned with the two holes on the display stand. Finally, the wire tie is secured around the present invention stand and the product for display.

Now, the product for display can be placed at a retail location and it will stand upright with the shelf top panel sitting securely on the shelf at the retail location. The use of this invention is particularly advantageous when the product for display will not stand upright on its own. Furthermore, since the present invention is relatively small, packaging is saved as compared to placing the product into a box. Moreover, the product on display will be visible in its entirety. Even more, if the retail product is to include small parts, these small parts may be packaged and inserted into the space created in the interior of the cardboard triangle. In addition, advertising material, instructions, warning labels, package weights or the like may be printed onto the present invention display stand.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles and preferred embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to one skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, operation and embodiment shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. A display stand for displaying an article at a retail location comprising: a sheet of foldable rigid material, said sheet having creases for folding into a triangular shape, said sheet of foldable material folded into a stand having triangular cross-section, said stand having a shelf-top panel for placement on a shelf of a retail location, the shelf-top panel having a front edge and a rear edge, a connecting panel extended upward from said front edge of said shelf-top panel, and a product display panel extending angularly downward from said connecting panel, wherein said shelf-top panel, said connecting panel and said product display panel form a stand having triangular cross sectional shape, said display stand further including a vertical tab extending upward from said rear edge of said shelf-top panel; wherein said shelf-top panel and said product display panel both have holes which two holes are aligned when the stand is in its folded condition.
 2. The display stand of claim 1 which further includes tying means for insertion through the holes on the shelf top panel and the product display panel.
 3. A display stand for displaying an article at a retail location comprising: a shelf-top panel for placement on a shelf of a retail location, the shelf-top panel having a front edge and rear edge, a connecting panel extended upward from said front edge of said shelf-top panel, and a product display panel extending angularly downward from said connecting panel, wherein said shelf-top panel, said connecting panel and said product display panel form a stand having triangular cross sectional shape; wherein said shelf-top panel and said product display panel both have holes which two holes are aligned when the stand is in its folded condition. 